April 2011 WT: Shoving the Faithful Slave down our throats again

The opening article of the new April 2011 WT starts by talking about Israel abandoning Jehovah. It says:

"In one section of
their camp, the Israelites sawthe pillar of fire
and cloud—themajestic evidence of theOne
who had led themout of Egypt—and not far
from there, they began worshipping a lifeless
idol, saying: “This is your God, O Israel,
who led you up out of the land of Egypt.”
What “great acts of disrespect”!"

Nothing so wrong here...but notice how they continue:

"He has delegated some authority
to a faithful slave class, made up
of faithful spirit-anointed Christians. That
slave class, in turn, appoints overseers in the
Christian congregation"

Nothing about the GB here... Just the faithful slave. I never knew that the annointed in the congregation were consulted before appointing overseers... Oh wait...they aren't.

The article continues:

"How can we show that we appreciate
God’s guidance? The apostle Paul said: “Be
obedient to those who are taking the lead
among you and be submissive.”"

And it gets worse:

"How, then, do we react when we receive
divine direction? Dowe try to apply it “right
afterward”? Or dowe continue doing things
just as we have been accustomed to doing
them? Are we familiar with up-to-date directions,
such as those regarding conducting
home Bible studies, preaching to foreignspeaking
people, regularly sharing in family
worship, cooperating with Hospital Liaison
Committees, and conducting ourselves
properly at conventions? We also show our
appreciation for God’s guidance by accepting
counsel. When faced with far-reaching
decisions, we do not trust in our own wisdom
but look to Jehovah and his organization
for guidance."

They are tightening the leash. They are terrified by the loss of control that they are being affected by. This organization never ceases to amaze/sicken me.

They end the article in this way:

"Do you clearly discern the evidence of divine
guidance? Jehovah uses his organization
to guide us, his people, through “the
wilderness” during these last days of Satan’s
wicked world. As a result, we enjoy unity,
love, and security...Likewise, God’s people today will without
fail reach the promised newworld.However,
whetherwe personallywill be there depends
to no small degree on our humble willingness
to follow God’s direction. Therefore,
may we all keep on discerning the evidence
of Jehovah’s guidance!"

Just a couple more quotes from that same article:

"Of course, those taking the lead in the
earthly part of God’s organization are not
perfect—but neither wasMoses."

Awe...how humble!!!

"Today, Jehovah’s steward class gives a
clear signal whenever it is time to make a
move. How does the steward do that? By
means of articles inTheWatchtower and Our
Kingdom Ministry, new publications, and
talks at assemblies and conventions."

I just hope more people continue to see how horrible this organization is.

This was put out earlier here. It just shows how they are trying to exercise CONTROL over the cultists.

Oh, I must have missed the thread.

I'm glad you put it again, because I did not see it before.  I think of my family who are in and I wish they could see this for what it is.  But to them, it is food at the proper time.  Sickening!

http://thegoverningbody.org/obeying-the-governing-body-means-your-life-eternally/

Check this one out too.

"Divine direction"...on things to do with their ministry.....and what film to watch, what clothes to wear in your personal time.....and in the past - not to use aluminium cooking pots, not to accept vaccinations etc etc.....

If that is from the Divine, then my opinion of The Divine One is changing rapidly...............

Reading between the lines, it is easy to see that there is practically no real distinction between the terms "faithful discrete slave" and "governing body".

"Today, Jehovah’s steward class gives a
clear signal whenever it is time to make a
move. How does the steward do that? By
means of articles inTheWatchtower and Our
Kingdom Ministry, new publications, and
talks at assemblies and conventions."

The "ordinary" annointed out there in the vast wasteland (outside Bethel) do not create Watchtower articles, new publications, or talks at the conventions. - and, the rank & file JW instinctively knows that.

I saw this fun editing exercise on another thread a while back, and thought that it would fit well here.  It very nicely cuts through the BS straight to the intended message:

"He has delegated some all authority
to a faithful slave class, made up
of faithful spirit-anointed Christiansus. That
slave classWe, in turn, appoints overseers in the
Christian congregation"

"How can we  you show that we you appreciate
God’sour guidance? The apostle Paul said: “Be
obedient to those who are taking the lead
among you and be submissive.”"

"How, then, do weyou react when weyou receive
divineour direction? Do we you try to apply it “right
afterward”? Or do weyou continue doing things
just as weyou have been accustomed to doing
them?   etc. etc. etc.

Know why we on JWN love to discuss what's "new" with the Borg?  Because there is SO LITTLE that's NEW.

New Watchtower articles are mostly re-hashes of OLD Watchtower articles.  New publications are mostly re-hashes of OLD publications.  New talk outlines say the same OLD crap as the OLD talk outlines did.

The GB doesn't make up new stuff.  That would entail WORK and THINKING.  Once in a great while there is something new (like the new generation definition or the new aux. pioneering arrangement) that we jump on because it's so rare, and the changes, when they do happen, are almost always reactionary (generation HAD TO be changed because the old one was dead, literally; auxiliary pioneering hours reduced for April because the annual campaigns have been fruitless).

It's amazing that Hebrews 3:3 says that JESUS is the greater Moses. Yet the GB presumptuously took that title on for themselves. There was no talk in that article about coming to JESUS for salvation. It was "come to the organization for salvation."

It's such a weak teaching, based on one parable and easily destroyed with other scriptures. Where's the scripture that says God would have an organization? Where's the scripture that says we would have to be part of an organization to survive Armageddon? I know other factors come into play, but it still surprises me that most JW's don't realize that.

Yeah they keep publishing these "Obey us or god will melt your eyeballs at Armageddon!" articles virtually every month.

And nothing really changes.

People storm convention sites at 8:01 AM and leave 30 magazines on seats for their friends.

People do about 15 minutes of "real" witnessing work and count 2 hours for the morning.

People watch TV instead of organizing a "Family Worship night".

People rush out to buy iphones so they can update their facebook pages every 15 minutes.

People blow off meetings because they are just so god-awful boring and uninstructive.

People talk to their disfellowshipped kids.

The higher up the ranks of the organizational leaders you look, the more you see a mixture of aggravation, contempt, and bewilderment in the eyes of its representatives.

"Why don't these guys just obey us like they should?"

And the most creative response the GB gets from the cadre of yes-men that surround it?  "Well, maybe repeating 'obey us or die!' 40 times a year just isn't enough. I'll bet if we repeat it 80 times a year things will change!"

It's amazing that Hebrews 3:3 says that JESUS is the greater Moses. Yet the GB presumptuously took that title on for themselves.

Dan, you're wrong.  Jesus is still the Greater Moses; the GB is the Greater Jesus.  Didn't you know?

On a positive note, at least they're making it clear who the leaders are, instead of some nebulous "society". In the 80's and 90's it was common to hear "the Society says...". Now it's the "the faithful slave says..." or "the governing body says..." as an appeal to authority when "reasoning".

Well, actually I'm not sure how that's an improvement, but it is a difference.

True true, pirata. Glass half full.

Zoiks, it would hilarious if they eventually admited that.

My impression of how things have shifted in the literature from the 70s to the present time is that the GB is MUCH more in your face about their authority. They really are shoved down our throats like never before. I'm sorry, but there's NOT ONE single GB member that I want in my throat. Period.

Bro. Dan wrote: "I just hope more people continue to see how horrible this organization is." I honestly believe more and more are. I believe the conscious class is growing. I bet you aren't the only member of the conscious class in your congo Bro. Dan. The only problem is how to identify (and commiserate) with the others.

Follow up:

I believe that the GB knows the Conscious Class is growing. That's why they are trying to shove themselves down our throats. They are losing their grip, and they know it. They feel the need to exert their "authority." The only problem is that more and more are catching glimpses of the man behind the curtain. Articles such as this one seem to be really saying: "Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain."

If you say something long enough, the hearers will believe it.  The WTS realizes that the flock are forgetful hearers and need constant reminders for them to know who to follow. 

My impression of how things have shifted in the literature from the 70s to the present time is that the GB is MUCH more in your face about their authority.

Well considering the GB really didn't come into true existance till the '70's thats to be expected.